Page 20 of Expiry Dating

Lily took the hint and made quick work of leaving.

Goddamnit. Motherfucking shitballs.

“Brady, I’m giving you five seconds to back the fuck off, or I’ll be making good on my promise of my knee acquainting itself with your balls.”

Brady being Brady didn’t move. He simply smirked and bent his head down once again. She closed her eyes in an attempt to block out the fire she saw in his.

Stay strong, Ali. He’s messing with you. Just don’t react, and he’ll go away.

Only he didn’t go away. He moved until his mouth touched hers again, until both of their lips parted and they were breathing each other in. He didn’t take what he wanted, though, he remained still. The only indication that he was affected by what was happening was the heavy, choppy breaths she was inhaling that mirrored her own.

“I want you, sweetness,” he muttered against her. “I’m a patient man. I’ll wait until you’re ready. But mark my words, when you are, I’m taking what’s mine.”

She wasn’t quite sure if that was a proposition or a threat.

As he pulled away, she immediately felt the loss of his body heat. Not that she would ever admit to him or herself how good he felt against her.

Alice didn’t dare say anything as he took her in. Her knees suddenly weak, she was grateful the counter was there to prop her up. Once he’d finished perusing her face, he left. No more chitchat, no goodbye, just left her alone. So there she was, standing in Lily’s kitchen, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

By the time Alice did eventually make it outside, she was none the wiser and Brady was nowhere to be found.

Thank God. He must have left.

Worried her body was at least ninety percent wine at this point, she headed straight for the food. Lily was hot on her heels. To give her sister credit though, she did at least wait until Alice had filled up her plate and taken a seat before she launched into questions.

“What the hell was that back there, Ali? Are you two hooking up?”

Alice let out a very unladylike snort. “No, we’re not hooking up. And to be honest, sis, I haven’t a fucking clue what that was.”

“You guys were practically making out in my kitchen, and that’s all I get? Spill, Ali, right now.” Her sister defiantly crossed her arms.

Alice got two bites of burger before she replied. “Fine. We might’ve kissed a couple of weeks ago, but it was nothing, a drunken mistake. This is the first time I’ve seen him since, and things are still a bit awkward. That’s it.” She decided that Lily didn’t need to know that she’d only had two drinks and was very much sober at the time. It would trigger way too many questions that Alice didn’t have answers for.

“You guys kissed?” Lily squeaked. “So Jake was right. All those fights you two have, they’re like some sort of sick foreplay.”

“I’m not playing with Deputy Douche’s ding dong, Lily, so can we just drop it? We kissed once. We won’t be kissing again. End of story.”

Lily didn’t look convinced, but Alice didn’t blame her. Alice hadn’t even convinced herself.

***

Alice let out a groan as she looked up to find Brady casually slouched against the doorframe. Ever since the party three days ago, he was back to his old tricks, meaning she’d run into him at least once a day. Thankfully he hadn’t initiated any fighting with her yet, but then again, this was only their fifth run-in, so there was still time for him to press her buttons.

This was the first time he’d shown up at her work, and by the looks of it, he had something to say. Something she wouldn’t like.

“Hi, sweetness, hope you don’t mind me dropping by.” He straightened and entered her therapy room. After a glance around, his golden eyes sliced back to hers. “I was wondering if you were free for dinner tonight?”

What? Is he on drugs?

“You’re joking, right?” She crossed her arms protectively over her chest.

“Deadly serious, darlin’. You free?”

He’s lost his damn mind.

She blinked twice at him before searching for signs of possible head trauma. “You want me to go out to dinner ... with you?” she repeated slowly. “Are you okay? Did you fall ... get knocked on the head? No, don’t tell me, you’re Brady’s identical twin here to right the wrongs of your brother?”

A deep roar of laughter echoed around the room. A laugh shouldn’t be sexy. It really shouldn’t.

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